Clinton man dies while on vacation in Florida

Deputies say a Tennessee man collapsed while walking in rough surf along Panama City Beach and later died at a hospital.

from staff and wire reports

Deputies say a Tennessee man collapsed while walking in rough surf along Panama City Beach and later died at a hospital.

The Bay County Sheriff’s Office identified the man as 68-year-old Ronald Anderson of Clinton, Tenn. They say he was walking in the surf Tuesday when he fell face first into the water.

The News Herald of Panama City reports witnesses helped pull him to shore when he didn’t get up.

He was on vacation in Florida with his wife, Joanne, a longtime employee of the county clerk’s office at the Anderson County Courthouse in Clinton.

Sheriff’s officials say double red flags were posted at the beach on Tuesday because of hazardous swimming conditions.

The newspaper reports a second person was pulled from the water Tuesday after apparently becoming exhausted while fighting rip currents near the Treasure Island Condominiums. He was expected to recover.